New GPA standard for aspiring teachers misses the mark

State Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf is talking again about raising the GPA bar for aspiring teachers in New Jersey, with plans to require a minimum 3.0 GPA for new teachers to be certified, up from the current range of 2.5 to 2.75 (a minimum that can differ according to specific circumstances). The change, according to Cerf and other supporters, would help assure that smarter teachers are in our classrooms.

It's ironic that a proposal rooted in grade-point average could be so dumb, but that's exactly what this is. It also is lazy policymaking.

Cerf and the Christie administration have long acted as if New Jersey's education system is woefully deficient and in need of salvation - and that they are the ones to come to the rescue with deep and meaningful reforms.

There are problems, yes, especially in poor urban districts. Christie and his team have taken a few encouraging steps to chip away at some unnecessary protections of teachers that have been keeping too many underperformers on the job. Tenure reform and changes to methods of evaluating teachers have been welcome initiatives.

But the bottom line is that the vast majority of New Jersey's public schools have been operating successfully for quite some time, no thanks to Cerf or Christie or anyone else currently in power. Yet now we're being told that many of the state's teachers really haven't been smart enough, or good enough students in their own classes, to effectively serve our children? So Cerf and company whip up a meaningless hike in GPA benchmarks as a supposed linchpin of an effort to seek out the better and brighter.

A would-be teacher's GPA should be a factor, in the same way that grades affect a student's ability to attend the college or graduate school of their choice. Reasonable standards serve to help measure an aspiring teacher's knowledge and dedication. We wouldn't suggest that GPAs be tossed out of the certification equation entirely.

But Cerf's proposal would accomplish nothing worthwhile, beyond creating an illusion that our leaders are fighting to find "better" teachers for our children. It would actually do the opposite, randomly slashing the pool of potential teachers, which itself could diminish overall teaching quality. It's also far too simplistic - all 3.0 GPAs are not created equal, depending on the schools where they were earned.

Many things go into becoming a good teacher, but GPAs should not be high on the list. Besides, the current standards are working. Most of New Jersey's schools are successful, most of its teachers are doing a quality job, and while some failings endure and need to be addressed, this isn't the way to do it. It's a lot easier, however, for politicians to throw an idea like this out there and pretend that it's an example of leadership in action rather than doing more to attack the root cause of so many of our educational deficiencies - poverty.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

New GPA standard for aspiring teachers misses the mark

State Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf is talking again about raising the GPA bar for aspiring teachers in New Jersey, with plans to require a minimum 3.0 GPA for new teachers to be certified,

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Real Deals

Sales, coupons, circulars and more from your favorite Jersey Shore area retailers.